Preemie Shell Dress

Free Crochet Pattern

This shell effect dress is made from the top down with a round yoke. It has a button opening at the back, so that  it has plenty of space for putting over a baby's head.

The premium pattern that includes pictures with sizes preemie-4 years can be purchased here

Written in English US terms with abbreviations for UK 

hdc = half double crochet (half treble crochet UK)

dc = double crochet (treble crochet UK)

fpdc = front post double crochet (front post treble crochet UK)

ch = chain

slst = slip stitch

shell = [3 dc, ch1, 3 dc] all in the same stitch (3 treble, ch1, 3 treble in UK terms)

[ ] = in the same stitch

* * = repeat between

Size

Preemie to fit 13 inch chest

Materials 

250 meters of dk / weight 3 yarn (I used King Cole Cottonsoft in blush for this example 210meters in a 100g ball)

4mm crochet hook I use this set from Amazon*

1 x 10-15mm buttons

Gauge Square

With 4mm hook

Row 1: Ch11, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each chain across. (9) Turn

Row 2-5: ch1, hdc in base of ch1, hdc 8. (9) Turn

Square should measure approximately 2 inches x 2 inches.

If you're out with a 4mm hook try a 4.5mm hook.

If you have problems hitting the length but the width is ok, try dc (treble crochet) instead of hdc.

Always ch1 and hdc in same to start row, unless stated

Dress

Ch38 

Row 1: 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc 3, [2 dc] in the next, *hdc 3, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (44) Turn

Row 2: ch1, 1 hdc in the same, hdc 3, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 4, [2 hdc] in the next * x 7, hdc 4. (52) Turn

Row 3: ch1, 1 hdc in the same, hdc 4, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 5, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (60) Turn

Row 4: ch1, 1 hdc in the same, hdc 5, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 6, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (68) Turn

Row 5: ch1, 1 hdc in the same, hdc 6, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 7, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (76) Turn

Row 6: ch1, 1 hdc in the same, hdc, 7, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 5, [2 hdc] in the next* x 11, hdc 1. (88) Turn

Row 7: ch1, 1 hdc in the same, hdc 8, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 6, [2 hdc] in the next* x 11, hdc 1. (100) Turn

Next row will be slst to the first to join and start working in the round.

Row 8: (Divide for Armholes) ch1, 1 hdc in the same, hdc 12, [3 hdc] in the next, skip 22, [3 hdc] in the next, hdc 26, [3 hdc] in the next, skip 22, [3 hdc] in the next, hdc 13, slst to first to join. (64)

Row 9: ch1, dc in the same, skip 1, shell in the next, *skip 1, dc 1, shell, skip 1* repeat to end, slst to first dc. (16 shells and 16dc)

Row 10: ch1, fpdc in first dc, *shell in each ch1 space, fpdc each dc* repeat to end and slst to the first fpdc.  (16 shells and 16dc)

Repeat row 10 until work measures 11 inches.

Fasten off.

*COPYRIGHT 2022 This pattern is made for personal use only. You may not copy, share or sell this pattern, you may make and sell items made from my patterns but please credit me @BabyCrochetDesigns as the designer many thanks*